The Lab has combined expertise and experience from our cutting edge R&D Team, Physiotherapists, Textile Engineers, Designers and Elite Athletes. The Lab gives you a better understanding of how our products will help with your needs.
Research
Injury Prevention
Viva Athletic will explain how receptive input as the body’s feedback to the brain is an important component to the injury prevention functions found in our braces, supports and compression apparel. This feedback is a combination of proprioception, balance and altered sensation of pain. The proprioception in turn helps to increase awareness of the position of designated body parts, the degree of flexion, and balance. For example, the increased proprioception of wearing Viva Athletic braces, supports and compression apparel assist in helping your body to register and remember correct form when performing a movement. Our motto has always been to Move More. Move Better!
An injury can lead to impaired receptive input, the signals to the brain and nervous system might be fewer or not accurate, hence the user will not have the same ability to perform a proper movement. The phenomenon of proprioception can be compared to a sixth sense. If one sense is taken away, for example if the eyes are shut, performing a squat with a proper technique will be considerably harder.
The receptive input from Viva Athletic braces, supports and compression apparel provides equal compression due to its anatomical fit, which leads to increased proprioceptive insight. In other words, it provides more focused and accurate information to the senso-motoric system in the brain which results performing a better movement throughout the range of motion. Proprioceptive accuracy has great effect on dynamic stabilization of the joints, adjusted muscle activity and coordination to maximize power and strength performance. When receptors in the muscles surrounding a joint are activated, the user of our braces, supports and compression apparel will be more aware of signals from the receptors to the brain. The user will be able to perform a more accurate movement through the range of motion thus preventing the likelihood of injuries as a result. Superficial proprioception offers benefits on a skin level, whereas deep tissue proprioception creates an awareness of the tension in the muscles, tendons and joints. Using Viva Athletic braces, supports and compression apparel will result in the benefits of both.
Compression
Compression, makes up part of the effective functions found in Viva Athletic braces, supports and compression apparel. We target three main components to this function: increased tissue pressure, senso-motoric improvement of performance and external stabilization of joints.
Our products help to prevent injuries by increasing the muscle memory in order to encourage a correct movement throughout a range of motion. Furthermore, compression in our braces, supports and compression apparel can reduce inflammation of the joints, reduce swelling and alleviate pains associated with mild overuse. Inflammations, irritation conditions, strains, wear and tear injuries and soft tissue overload can cause swelling of affected body areas. This results in increased movement of fluid (hematoma) from the vessels into the tissue, destruction of tissue and development of pain. Viva Athletic compression products is specifically useful for preventing and treating articular effusions, periarticular swellings and hematomas.
The basic function of compression is to provide pressure to body tissue. Due to the anatomical fit of Viva Athletic braces, supports and compression apparel there is even compression throughout the entire area. Extensive research and development has gone into finding the perfect level of compression for active people. If compression is too strong, blood circulation is limited, while compression that is too weak will not offer the same level of results. The level of compression in the construction of Viva Athletic braces, supports and compression apparel offers even compression throughout the whole movement. This level of compression is scientifically proven to give the user optimal results in the affected body part. Compression is measured in mm/Hg (millimetres of mercury), the measurement refers to the intensity of the elasticity in the material and its force applied on a certain area. Compression treatment, especially with pressure between 15—20 mm/Hg as used in Viva Athletic braces, supports and compression apparel increases tissue pressure and supports oxygenation and backflow of fluids from tissue to vessel system, hence, the basis for the local inflammatory reaction is removed.
Superficial proprioception (skin) and deep tissue proprioception (muscle, tendons and joints) is achieved due to the right level of compression, resulting in improved muscle coordination and activation and a feeling of stability and safety.
Recovery
Viva Athletic utilise hypoallergenic functional fabrics to keep you cool during hot weather and conversely warm when its cooler. In fact warmth from our fabric provides many medical benefits to the musculoskeletal system. It reduces muscle and joint pain, such as myo- and tendinopathies or other soft tissue ailments, through improved blood circulation to the affected body part.
Warmth increases blood circulation which also facilitates healing and recovery. Oxygen transport is improved and lactic acid, along with other waste particles, are transported away from the muscles, leading to less muscle soreness and healthier soft tissue for faster recovery.
A rise in temperature prepares the body for physical activity and enhances elasticity of muscles and tendons. The body responds to the rise in heat by dilating blood vessels, thus pumping more blood to that area. Furthermore, muscle fibres in soft tissue are softened, which allows for more powerful movements throughout the activity while lowering the risk of injuries. To begin physical activity before reaching a sufficient working temperature can result in injuries such as soft tissue overload, strain, sprains and swelling.
Viva Athletic braces, supports and compression apparel are comprised of the extremely durable and heat-generating synthetic rubber material, neoprene found in our braces and supports, a composition of spandex and nylon in our compression apparel. The key function of warmth in our braces, supports and compression apparel protects muscles, joints and soft tissue from injury. The insulation properties of neoprene retain body heat gained from physical activity, but simply wearing our braces, supports and compression apparel will offer the warming benefits. The increased blood circulation and muscle function generated by the muscle and joint warmth enables a higher performance and facilities healing and recovery making Viva Athletic braces, supports and compression apparel perfect for rehab and recovery of acute injuries.
Functions
Results
Research & Development
The R&D-team at Viva Athletic strives to innovate products and improve manufacturing methods with the aim of producing high performance products that helps the end-user achieve their best sports performance. The direct result of this is to becoming the leader in Sports Medicine and purveyor of associated products.
Our dedicated team of Physiotherapists, Textile Engineers, Designers, Elite Athletes, and Buyers work closely together with the purpose of presenting unique solutions for the sports market. Due to Viva Athletic’s own production chain with factories, the highest of standards is maintained and ensured throughout the entire production of our products. Our close collaboration allows for a transparent knowledge exchange and quality control. Viva Athletic has also built a long-term relationship with key external suppliers.
A clear and consistent development process based on relevant medical device regulations sets the standard for the R&D work. Product testing, both in test labs and by end-user, is covered within the development process. We use both our own internal testing procedures as well as that of accredited international test institutes. The extensive testing, feedback and insights, often taking years to complete to ensure a final product that exceeds the high expectations of function, durability and design. It also allows us to predict and improve performance at an early stage and throughout the development process. This is done in close cooperation with customers, partners and elite athletes.
Our R&D team creates prototypes that all undergo assessment at a number of different areas and levels of testing. Our medical professionals continuously screen the latest scientific medical findings, taking any new research into the account during the development process. Many product ideas are initiated from these scientific papers. Again showing how Viva Athletic strives to lead the area of sports medicine.
SB7 – Neoprene & A400 – Fabric
The fabrics mill where we spin, weave, mix, press and dye our specially designed martials is found at what we call Area 400. All materials found in our braces, supports and compression apparel come from Area 400. Once the milling process is completed it is vigorously tested by textile engineers to ensure all requirement and standards are met. Once approved the materials are then transported to our manufacturing line for our A7 team to masterfully produce our FLEX and OLYMPIA Braces & Supports, V3000 & ELITE Compression Tights and ULTRA Shorts .
Our V3000 and ELITE compression line are made from our specially designed A400 compression fabric which consist of a combination of special nylon and spandex weaved together to achieve the desired weight and composition that provides the desired compression and support yet still be light weight and comfortable as to ultimately act as the first layer of skins for athletes.
SB7 Neoprene fabric is used across our range of FLEX and OLYMPIA Brace & Support. Area 400 uses a combination of powders and ingredients which is heat pressed to create the desired density and thickness unique to our SB7 Neoprene. Our SB7 Neoprene is 7mm in thickness and has level of density unique only to our SB7 Neoprene. Not all 7mm neoprene is the same, they can vary in weight, density and durability. Our SB7 Neoprene stands out from the rest in that it has the best composition of weight, density and durability making our FLEX and OLYMPIA Braces & Supports extremely popular amongst Weightlifting, Crossfit and Strongman Athletes.
A7
Our A7 team consists of an expert team of designers, cutters, tailors and finishers all working together to masterfully produce our FLEX and OLYMPIA Braces & Supports, V3000 and ELITE Compression, ULTRA Shorts with the highest quality of craftsmanship. With decades of experience our A7 team can also work with any designers or businesses as the go to for their manufacturing and textile needs. Whether its functional fabrics you need for your own production or a finished product for your brand or business our A7 team can help.
